Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi ’62, Speaker of the House

As the 110th U.S. Congress convened in January 2007, Trinity graduate and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi ’62 made history as she was sworn in as Speaker of the House: She is the first woman to hold this powerful leadership position. Her name is now etched in history as it is added to the roster of 51 male Speakers of the House. She wields the gavel of the most powerful legislative position in the nation. She is second in the line of presidential succession, after the vice president of the United States.

Congresswoman Pelosi’s election by her Democratic peers to be Speaker of the House comes after 20 years of outstanding service and leadership as a member of Congress representing California ‘s Eighth District. Overwhelmingly elected by her colleagues in the fall of 2002 as Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives, she became the first woman in American history to lead a major party in the U.S. Congress. Before being elected Leader, she served as House Democratic Whip for one year and was responsible for the party’s legislative strategy in the House. On November 16, 2006, Nancy Pelosi was unanimously elected by the Democratic Caucus as Speaker-designate.

Speaker Pelosi is an exemplary leader and respected for her commitment to public service. Women’s colleges around the nation join Trinity in rejoicing in the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and affirming the continuing vitality of women’s colleges in today’s world.

Speaker Pelosi speaks frequently about how much she appreciates her education at Trinity and credits her college experience with influencing her political career and public service.

In an interview with the Trinity magazine, she reflected on her college years: “I loved Trinity College . It was an absolute joy to go there. We were in Washington , D.C. , so I was active with the College Democrats. All of us, we felt very nurtured at Trinity. Our friendships are stronger today than they were then. My best friends from Trinity are still my best friends.”